Thursday, February 25, 2010

An astounding 90,000 children in 1,000 schools across the UK and overseas have already signed up to Scottish Book Trust’s ‘Meet Our Authors’ programme. Scottish Book Trust, Scotland’s leading agency for the promotion of literature, reading and writing, created the programme to allow children, young people, parents and teachers across the world to get up close and personal with some of the world’s leading children’s authors, free of charge, with support from the Scottish Arts Council’s National Lottery Fund.

The programme consists of:Children’s author events broadcast live over the internet, in conjunction with the BBC Digital resource of quality content about children’s authors, including Facebook and YouTube campaigns featuring exclusive clips of children’s authors, in conjunction with Scottish Friendly Assurance Competitions for parents to win exclusive prizes related to the work of the UK’s finest children’s authors, in conjunction with Scottish Friendly Assurance

The series of live events is the centrepiece of the programme and will feature household names such as Michael Rosen (March 4th), Julia Donaldson (May 6th), Eoin Colfer (October 7th), Philip Pullman (December 9th) and Jacqueline Wilson (January 27th, 2011) who will talk to a live audience whilst being filmed and broadcast simultaneously over the internet. The first live broadcast will take place on World Book Day, Thursday 4th March, with former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen who will be doing two events - one for primary schools and one for secondary schools.

Michael Rosen commented: “I'm really looking forward to this event. I think it's the first time I've ever done a live performance that can be watched by thousands of children in their schools. I've heard that kids all across Britain are going to tune in. And more than that - there are schools abroad joining us too. One thing that excites me is thinking that this is really a brand new kind of television. It's a new way for us to entertain and talk to each other. So thanks a million to Scottish Book Trust for inventing this day, and I'm going to do my best to give you a great show. Oh yes!”

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Début author Katie Davies­ has been announced as the winner of the Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize for her book, The Great Hamster Massacre (Simon & Schuster). The book won over nine other titles, with Waterstone's describing it as the "closest competition" in the prize's six-year history.The title was revealed as the winner of the prize by Children’s Laureate Anthony Browne in an evening ceremony at Waterstone’s Piccadilly. Browne described the book as "a funny and touching story told very convincingly and honestly from the point of view of a young girl". Many congratulations...it is a really enjoyable children's book with splendid illustrations.

Thursday, February 04, 2010

Chris Meade, Director of if:book, with students and staff from Queensbridge School Birmingham at the launch of HOTBOOK, a ground breaking and free digital resource for teaching English in secondary schools, on 2nd February at the Free Word Centre, London. Nearly 350 schools have already registered to receive HOTBOOK, which has been piloted in four schools. Ellie Clarke, Head of English at Queensbridge School said:‘These are a fantastically creative set of multi modal resources with which to deliver the rich experience of both language and literature at the heart of the revised curriculum at Key Stage 3.’

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Beatrix Potter Exhibition 8th March – 12th AprilA 1903 edition of The Tale of Peter Rabbit will go on display in the Selfridges’ book department, as part of a special collection of Beatrix Potter original art, books and toys selected from the Frederick Warne & Co. archive. This is a wonderful opportunity to see unique items including a 1905 Steiff Peter Rabbit doll, together with an original Beatrix Potter pen-and-ink illustration of Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddle-duck. Featuring 36 selected items, the exhibition includes: Early editions of all 23 Original Tales, Beatrix Potter title page illustration for The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies, Bookplate design for the 1st Trade Ed. of The Roly Poly Pudding and the 1925 Farnell Jemima Puddle-duck doll Peter Rabbit™

Easter Events Friday 2nd – Monday 5th April Mischievous Peter Rabbit will be hopping along to Selfridges every day during the Easter long weekend. Peter Rabbit will be making special appearances in the Selfridges’ book department during daily story-telling performances of The Tale of Peter Rabbit at 12pm, 1.30pm, 3pm and 4.30pm. Events are free for the whole family to enjoy, however spaces are limited.

Monday, February 01, 2010

If you work in or with primary schools how about using our Chatterbooks network of reading groups to inspire more children in their reading for pleasure? This month, building on the major success of Chatterbooks groups in public libraries, we are launching Chatterbooks into schools. The scheme supports key aspects of your school improvement plan, including attainment, SEAL, transition and creativity, as well as extended school services. It helps you offer year round book talking activities. More information and subscription details on our brand new Chatterbooks microsite at www.chatterbooks.org.uk.

New volunteering pilot linked to Summer Reading Challenge

We are keen to spread reading through volunteer helpers because we've seen how powerful this can be. So we are thrilled to announce that V (the national youth volunteering charity) and Laing Integrated Services have agreed to fund a pilot Summer Reading Challenge volunteering programme for 16 to 25 year olds during 2010. Our vision is to encourage all library services to offer youth volunteering through the Challenge by 2012. We've had a huge response, and will be working with a focus group of 20 pilot library services which we'll be announcing shortly. All libraries will have access to our new volunteer guidance pack, so we hope lots of them will have a go. www.readingagency.org.uk/young/volunteering